Fitbit Multiple Connections Issue: Raspberry Pi Bluetooth Instability

[BCjeong]

Hello,
I'm currently working on a project to collect second-by-second heart rate data from multiple people using Fitbit devices. Instead of using smartphones, I've installed Android OS on Raspberry Pi 4Bs, and I'm using the Fitbit app to gather data. There are 30 Raspberry Pis, each connected to one Fitbit device via Bluetooth, and all the Pis are stored together inside a box.

Initially, everything works fine, but after some time, the Fitbit devices disappear from the Raspberry Pi's Bluetooth settings, causing the connection to drop. Once this happens, reconnecting the devices becomes difficult.

Here are the key concerns I have:

1. Proximity of Multiple Raspberry Pis: Could having 30 Raspberry Pis close together inside the box be causing interference, making the Bluetooth connections unstable? I’m wondering if the close proximity of the devices could be leading to these issues.
2. Using USB Bluetooth Dongles: Would using USB Bluetooth dongles help improve signal strength or stabilize the connections? Could this potentially solve the problem?
3. Temperature Issue: Since 30 Raspberry Pis are stored inside a single box, could the increase in temperature be affecting the Bluetooth connections?

If anyone has experienced similar issues or has any advice on how to resolve this, I’d appreciate your insights!

Thank you.

[Guy_ · Accepted solution]

Hi @BCjeong - interesting project.

At a guess the problem may be with versions of the V4 Fitbit app which are notorious for losing connection with the watch and how the Android version manages reconnection in conjunction with the Fitbit App which manages it.

Try using release 3 of the Fitbit App and Android 10 for greater stability.

Also ensure good ventilation, as good practice, if there was overheating it would probably affect more than just the Bluetooth connection.

Close proximity is unlikely to cause the Bluetooth to be removed and dongles are likely to complicate things more.

[BCjeong]

Hi @Guy_ Thank you for the reply.

V4 Fitbit app means that the version of Fitbit app start with 4??

When I checked my Fitbit app the version is 4.24.fitbit-mobile-~~. So my version is V4 right??

and, the android version is 11 (Lineage OS).

So for the safe connection I should downgrade android OS and Fitbit app??

Is there any ways to downgrade the Fitbit app??

[Guy_]

Hi @BCjeong - yes that's correct for the releases.

Google haven't developed any way to go back, however some people have had success installing older versions from mirror sites, though the security could be questionable.

You may find some references to specific in older posts, though they generally get removed. ChatGPT may offer assistance for sites and your specific issues.

I'm using Fitbit App 3.51.1 which seems quite stable on Android 10, it may be stable on 11 too.

[BCjeong]

Thank you for the help 

I will try it!!!